Whatever the local delicacy is — cheese, chocolates, fancy biscuits or exotic booze — you can guarantee that the supermarket will have it, and the price will be a fraction of what gift shops (or worse, the airport) will charge.

For example, on a recent trip to Amsterdam, some beautifully packaged “stroopwafels” (caramel wafers) cost just €1.49 compared with more than €4 for the selfsame product at the airport gift shop.

Extreme thrifters take Bubble Wrap on holiday with them to wrap up wine, grappa and premium olive oil in their hold luggage upon return. Thick hiking socks work just as well — even if you’ve worn them first.

Share your top money saving tips with FT readers, by tweeting us @FTthrift or comment on the FTthrift blog: FT.com/thrift

Copyright
The Financial Times Limited 2017. All rights reserved. You may share using our article tools. Please don't copy articles from FT.com and redistribute by email or post to the web.